Homelessness Reduction 2024-12-02
2024-12-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from ongoing efforts to address the issue of homelessness, particularly the initiatives and challenges faced by local councils.
What steps her Department is taking to support councils in reducing homelessness?
We are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness. Funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million, taking the total spend to almost £1 billion in 2025-26. We are also abolishing no-fault evictions and will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There has been a significant increase in homelessness in Blackpool, highlighting the need for additional support from the government.
Over the past two years, we have witnessed a staggering 50% increase in homelessness in Blackpool. What steps will the Minister take to support and strengthen local efforts to ensure immediate relief and long-term solutions?
This Government have already made £10 million of additional funding available to local authorities, including Blackpool, to tackle rough sleeping pressures this winter. The £547 million rough sleeping initiative will continue to support local authorities across England by funding tailored rough sleeping services, which includes funding of £313,000 for Blackpool borough council in 2024-25.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The removal of the ringfence around homelessness funding due to the Localism Act has led to concerns about council spending priorities.
As a result of the Localism Act 2011, introduced by the Conservative party, the ringfence around homelessness funding was removed. The Tory-led Devon county council is consulting on cutting its entire homelessness support budget. Does the Minister agree that councils should invest money in homelessness services?
We are absolutely focused on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, and their root causes. The previous Government left local authorities in a dire condition. The autumn Budget announced £4 billion of additional funding for local authorities and services, and funding for homelessness services is increasing next year.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement regarding Devon county council's budget cuts
Look Into The Points My Hon. Friend Raises
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the Department's initiatives to address underlying causes of homelessness, such as domestic violence and substance misuse.
Although in my constituency we have the City of Wolverhampton council's homelessness prevention strategy, last week I was contacted by a constituent fleeing domestic violence. Will the Minister confirm how her Department is helping councils deal with societal and economic issues causing homelessness?
My hon. Friend raises really important issues about how multiple underlying causes can drive people into homelessness. We are determined to tackle the root causes, which is why the Deputy Prime Minister is chairing the inter-departmental taskforce on homelessness and rough sleeping. The previous Labour Government took action, and cut homelessness and rough sleeping.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for addressing domestic violence and substance misuse in Wolverhampton
Determined To Tackle The Underlying Issues
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Financial constraints faced by Wokingham borough council are impacting efforts to reduce homelessness.
Wokingham borough council is under intense financial pressure, making the crucial task of reducing homelessness a significant challenge. Will the Minister meet me and the leader and chief executive of our council?
I am aware that the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton (Jim McMahon), has already met the hon. Gentleman, but I am happy to look at the specific issues he raises in relation to homelessness.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment for a meeting with Wokingham borough council
Already Met
Look At Specific Issues
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Rural areas are experiencing a rise in homelessness, partly due to high house prices relative to local incomes.
Rural homelessness has risen by 40% in just the last five years. Does the Minister agree that we need to give planning powers to local authorities and national parks?
We have an ambitious plan for affordable and social housing, which fits within the Government's commitment to build 1.5 million homes. We are putting in funding, including £500 million for the affordable homes programme, which will build 5,000 properties.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement on planning powers for local authorities and national parks
Ambitious Plan
Fundings
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Nutrient neutrality, flood risk, and the national shortage of planners are preventing or delaying the construction of 18,000 homes with planning permission across Somerset.
Some 18,000 homes with planning permission across Somerset are waiting to be built, but nutrient neutrality issues, flood risk and the national shortage of planners are preventing or delaying the delivery of those much-needed homes. What discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues about fixing the issue and ensuring that appropriate homes are built to help reduce the strain caused by the lack of housing in Somerset?
I can reassure the hon Lady that the Government are addressing those issues and will take appropriate action. My right hon Friend the Secretary of State and other Ministers are very much engaged with this important agenda.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or timelines for resolving nutrient neutrality, flood risk, and planner shortages
Reassurance Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Homelessness is projected to rise by 27% this year. National insurance increases are causing financial losses for homeless charities, with 110 charities warning about a £50 million to £60 million loss and Homeless Link describing the increase as 'the final nail in the coffin'.
Sadly, homelessness is projected to rise by 27% this year. The Government's broken promise on national insurance rises has wreaked havoc across the charitable sector, with 110 national homelessness charities warning the Chancellor that £50 million to £60 million will be lost in the sector and Homeless Link calling the increase 'the final nail in the coffin' for the sector. Will the Minister listen to that warning, and what will she be doing to convey these concerns to the Chancellor and change this disastrous policy?
I welcome the shadow Minister to his position. May I remind him of the record of his party in government? In those 14 years, 123,000 households, including 150,000 children, were living in temporary accommodation—not to mention the scandal of rough sleeping and the deaths caused by that Government's neglect. We are investing to tackle those issues and the mess that the hon Gentleman's party left behind. We have already announced £233 million in the Budget; Conservative Members need to decide whether to back us on the investment we are making to clean up the mess that he and they have left behind.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address concerns about national insurance rises or listen to charity warnings, instead criticised previous government's record on homelessness
Criticising Opposition
Response accuracy